Kenyans may be using poisonous edible oil- KEBS

The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has revealed that 32 million litres of edible oil, deemed unfit for human consumption, were released into the market despite concerns raised by the bureau.

Appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Trade and Industrialisation on Thursday, KEBS Managing Director, Esther Ngari, disclosed that the oil, which was still under investigation had not been destroyed or shipped back.

Ngari explained that 44 of the 73 consignments shipped through the Port of Mombasa had already been cleared for sale, despite sample tests showing that some consignments failed to meet safety standards.

Eight of the tested consignments failed the Vitamin A test and were found to contain insoluble impurities. The absence of Vitamin A, which is critical for human health, can lead to various problems, such as vision impairment, skin conditions, fertility issues, and stunted growth.

“The oil was unfit for human consumption,” Ngari said while responding to a query from Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute.

Geoffrey Murira, KEBS Director of Quality and Assurance added, “The oil was substandard since it lacked Vitamin A.”

Ngari also informed the Senate that while KEBS had advised the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) to either destroy or return the substandard oil, KEBS did not have the authority to prevent 36 other consignments, totalling 32 million litres, from entering the market.

Nominated Senator Betty Montet questioned KEBS' ability to follow up on the destruction of the products, asking, “Are you telling us you could not follow up to see the consignments destroyed?”

In response, Ngari noted, “We don’t retest consignments that come with a certificate of conformity.”

The companies cleared to import the oil as part of the government's effort to reduce cooking oil costs include three firms.

Meanwhile, unresolved issues persist regarding the fate of additional cooking oil supplies. Documents from both KEBS and KNTC indicate that nearly half of the 53 million litres of oil that arrived at the port have been held for over a year.

KEBS reports that 23 consignments, totalling 20 million litres, are still being inspected, with some already rejected.

The high temperatures at the coast and the shelf life of the products have been attributed to pose further concerns, as the country faces potential losses of Sh6 billion if the goods spoil.